Freshwater fish

The New Zealand Freshwater Fish Database (NZFFD) contains over 50,000 freshwater fish observations from across New Zealand from 1901 to the present.

About 76 per cent of indigenous freshwater fish species, that’s 39 out of 54, are threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened.

Freshwater Cultural Keystone (Taonga) Species such as tuna, kōura and kāeo/kākahi are central to the identity and wellbeing of many Māori communities throughout Āotearoa. For generations, these species have sustained communities and been vital in the transfer of customary practices and knowledge from one generation to the next.

Nearly half of New Zealand’s river network is partially or fully inaccessible to migratory fish, a new study shows.

New ways to communicate the state and trends of taonga populations.

New Zealand’s native fish are doing their best to climb up ramps in a NIWA laboratory so scientists can learn how to better help them navigate our tricky waterways.

Dr Alvin Setiawan talks about recirculating aquaculture systems.

A new study has identified seven freshwater species native to Aotearoa-New Zealand that will likely be highly or very highly vulnerable to climate change.

These are some recent publications related to the freshwater species ecology and management programme.

NIWA is helping to ensure that New Zealand’s unique and iconic freshwater species are healthy, abundant and thriving.

Tiny, translucent eels may hold the answers to one of the fish world’s great mysteries. Zen Gregor investigates.